These Incredibly Expensive Things Can Only Be Found in Dubai

Est. Value: $135,000*
Produced by: WaterCar

Though WaterCar is an American company that is actually based on SoCal, it is popular in Dubai. WaterCar specializes in manufacturing and developing luxury amphibious cars. The company was founded in 1999 by Dave March, who was so inspired by the 1960s’ Amphicar (another amphibious luxury vehicle) that he developed WaterCar.

Water Cars @dayanajimenez_1 / Pinterest.com

The first commercial water car was available to the public in 2013 when WaterCar released the Panther. In having a rather reasonable price tag of just over $135, 000, the more recent model has become a popular accessory in Dubai, and not just amongst the higher class, although Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheik Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum, does own six of these amphibious water vehicles, himself.

While driving into the water at speeds just shy of 10mph, the wheels are retracted by a hydraulic off-road suspension. In under fifteen seconds the transition from a land vehicle into a sea-faring one, and vice versa, can be completed. Once the transformation is complete, these ‘Bond-esque’ vehicles can reach speeds in the water of more than 60mph.

Est. Value: $6,295 per night*
Produced by: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

Known mostly for its tall buildings and man-made islands, Dubai also has several hotels that allow for their guests to stay in undersea hotel rooms. Most commonly located in the Ambassador Lagoon, the suite’s guests are treated to magnificent undersea views for a hefty price. The most well-known of the underwater suites can be located at Atlantis, The Palm.

Undersea Hotels @cntravele / Pinterest.com

“Neptune” and “Poseidon”, are the two aptly named underwater suites located in Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. They sport floor-to-ceiling windows which provide an up-close look at the more than sixty-five thousand sea creatures who inhabit the lagoon.

However, if you’re looking to stay in an underwater hotel, be prepared to spend some cash. It costs, at minimum, $314 a night to stay in an underwater Dubai hotel, which is pricier than even some of the nicest hotels in the States. A stay in some of the most luxurious underwater hotels can cost up to $25,000 for just one night.

Est. Value: $500/Robot Jockey*
Produced by: Various Local Shops

Pre-2004, camel racing in the UAE had a plethora of human rights issues including the use of small children as jockeys for the aforementioned races. The Emirates’ answer was to ban the use of all human jockeys in 2004 and replace them with robots.

Robotic Camel Racers @flowersyadhi / Pinterest.com

The robots are aluminum framed and have the capability to transmit the camel’s heart rate and running speed to the race team who are observing from a safe distance. The robots’ operators are driven along the side of the track in separate vehicles while handling the remote control devices.

The use of robot jockeys has prevented numerous injuries and countless human rights violations across the UAE’s camel-racing circuit. Not to mention, they also look cool. The robotic camels have been modified a lot as the years have gone on. Though development began in 2001, it took four years before the first race occurred. The robots had to be modified to survive the tough desert terrain and hot weather.

Est. Value: Unknown
Produced by: Unknown

If there is one thing that automobile drivers around the world have in common, it is the frustration they feel when stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Few things grind the gears of a driver more than staring at the back bumper of the car in front of them for hours on end. In Dubai, they have found an answer to all of one’s traffic problems.

Helicopter Taxis For Cars @FunnyHumorPhoto / Pinterest.com

Helicopter taxis can be seen flying around the Dubai skies, transporting the vehicles of the rich and famous from one location to the next. Those who live in the Burj Khalifa can see these heli-car taxis flying across the city on a regular basis. 

The project began in 2017, thanks to a German startup, which signed on to be the first airborne taxi service in the world. The eighteen-rotor AATs (autonomous air taxis) were supplied by Volocopter. For a group of six people, a taxi ride costs about $144 per person, so it’s not cheap.

Est. Value: $5,000*
Produced by: Flyboard

Adrenaline junkies and water sport enthusiasts in Dubai have almost seemingly endless possibilities when it comes to the ways in which they can occupy their free time. If high-rise tennis courts and pet tigers are not enough to get one’s kicks, they need to look no further than the Persian Gulf to find their next thrill-seeking weekend activity: hydro-flying boots.

Hydroflying Boots ©hurricanehank / Shutterstock.com

Flyboarding is the new craze amongst those who have an extra few thousand dollars to spend on a new toy. Using a long hose that connects to the device and directs water pressure through jet nozzles that are fitted under the boots, they allow for the user to seemingly fly over the water.

The boots have the ability to thrust their rider over 70 feet in the air, or to speed along underwater, being propelled towards one’s destination at velocities that could reach over 25 mph. Is it safe? Probably not, but it is quite fun.

Est. Value: $545,000*
Produced by: Lamborghini

Due to the large number of elite vehicles in Dubai, it seems more out of necessity than for pleasure that the police officers can be seen riding around in style as well. More frequently than one would expect, the police in Dubai can be seen patrolling the streets in Ferraris, Bugattis, and Lamborghinis.

@huberrua/Pinterest

The Lamborghini Aventador is a police vehicle like no other. With the ability to go from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds and topping out around 220 mph, it is no wonder why attempts by drivers in Dubai to outrun the law are few and far between. 

Far from a Crown Vic, getting pulled over by an Aventador would definitely be quite the experience. However, it’s not something you want to chance, as speeding tickets in Dubai are quite pricey. According to one website, tickets cost anywhere from $273 for minor speeding to over $800 for something major.

Est. Value: $16 Billion-$20 Billion*
Produced by: Creative Kingdom Dubai

Property developers in Dubai have been finding new and creative ways to outdo themselves with each successive project. While some countries are creating airport islands off their coasts, Dubai is building whole new worlds.

Artificial Man-Made “The World” Islands @tinekehenry / Pinterest.com

The work that was done in order to create the Palm Jumeirah seems as though it was just a practice run for the massive undertaking that is “The World” Islands, a massive undertaking that is still underway.

If seen from an aerial view, the islands are meant to look like a map of the world. When “The World” is completed it will take up an area that is approximately 3.7 by 5.6 miles and will consist of seven sets of islands with a total of close to 260 islands combined. Each set of islands will represent one of the seven continents while the islands themselves will range between 150, 000 sq ft and 450, 000 sq ft each. 

Est. Value: $75/day pass*
Produced by: Majid Al Futtaim Group

Developed by The Majid Al Futtaim Group, Ski Dubai opened its lifts to the public for the first time, in 2005. Located within the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai has three lifts that transport skiers to the start, of one of the five runs that can be found almost twenty-five stories up, this indoor mountain. 

Indoor Skiing in the Mall @emanuelveloza / Pinterest.com

Each course varies in difficulty. The most advanced of the courses being the world’s first indoor black diamond course. A black diamond course, for those unfamiliar with skiing, is always the toughest, most intricate course on the “mountain.”

For those looking for an activity other than skiing or snowboarding, Ski Dubai also sports a more than 30, 000 square-foot snow park that consists of an ice cave, toboggan runs, ice slide, an area dedicated to snowball fights, and a penguin experience exhibit. The seasonal indoor temperature at this ski resort is fairly consistent, as it hovers between 30-35 Fahrenheit, in order to provide the optimal winter weather all year long.

Est. Value: $40-$140/ticket*
Produced by: Majid Al Futtaim Group

Upon its completion in 2005, The Mall of the Emirates became the largest mall in the world. Five years later when a ski resort began operating with the mall, visitors thought they had seen everything the mall could offer, then a few years later, The Penguin Experience opened inside Ski Dubai, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about and walk with both King and Gentoo penguins.

Penguin Petting Zoo @myconciergeUAE / Pinterest.com

With tickets ranging from $40-$140, there are multiple penguin experiences to choose from. The most expensive of the tickets allow penguin enthusiasts the chance to interact with, and pet one of the penguins, under the appropriate supervision, of course.

While the ticket at the lower end of the price range still allows fans of these finely dressed birds to walk through an ice cave and see the penguins up-close. These cute, cuddly animals don’t really seem to be afraid of humans, mostly because they have no land predators in their native home of Antarctica.

Est. Value: $150,000-$200,000*
Produced by: Allstate Limo

Riding to the hospital in an ambulance can be a very stressful experience. In Dubai, they have found a new way to help reduce the patient’s stress, they use a fleet of converted limousines that have been fitted with everything one may need in order to satisfy their emergency or comfort needs.

Elite Ambulances @ebaudrit / Pinterest.com

Anyone in Dubai is eligible for a trip in one of the limos, as long as they have a standard medical plan. All standard plans cover the costs that one may encounter due to the need to ride in one of these luxury ambulances. One of the perks that come with the need to ride in one of these ambulance limos, is that there will always be room for that one extra person who wants to ride along to the hospital.

However, these limo ambulances aren’t for those in “dire need” of services. They’re not for GSWs or anything serious, and they’re also not for use by regular pedestrians. The patients this limo transports are those told by their doctor to go in for further treatment and facility transfers from one side of the emirate to another.

Est. Value: $5,000-$10,000*
Produced by: Custom Made

Luxury vehicles have become a common sight to see in Dubai. From Lamborghinis to double-wide Jeeps, Emiratis do not hold back when it comes to personal transportation. If it’s not flashy and expensive, it usually will not do.

Mustang Motorcycles @motorrad0058 / Pinterest.com

A mustang motorcycle in Dubai is slightly different from the classic bike that one may find cruising along the highways of America. A horse enthusiast in Dubai had a custom bike made in the image of an Arabian Horse. It has gained so much attention, that others have followed suit, and these Emirati “Mustang-Motorcycles”, have become the talk of the town.

Another recent Mustang attention-getter was the Avatar Mustang, which debuted at the Royal Show. The Avatar Mustang is based on the James Cameron movie, and it is basically the aliened-out version of an S550 Ford Mustang. It remains to be seen whether these alien Mustangs will sweep Dubai the way Mustang Motorcycles have.

Est. Value: $40,000-$100,000*
Produced by: N/A

One of the ultimate status symbols in Dubai is for an individual to own a falcon. As the national bird of the UAE, the falcon is given the utmost respect and treated better than people are in most other countries. 

Falcon Flights @crazipanda156 / Pinterest.com

It is common for pet owners to be worried about their companions when the need for air travel may arise. Having one’s cat or dog kept in a separate section of a plane for the duration of the flight, is enough to make anyone concerned. Falcons are so well regarded in the UAE that when traveling on an airplane with their owners, they are allowed to remain uncaged in the passenger compartments, and given their own seats for the trip.

And there’s no denying that falcons are amazing birds. Because of their thin, tapered wings, they can fly at speeds up to 200 miles per hour and change direction in the blink of an eye. These remarkable creatures are also very intelligent, with cognitive skills comparable to a crow or a raven.

Est. Value: $4.8 Million*
Produced by: Mercedes

The people of Dubai have been making an art out of spending money on over-the-top items that most people could only dream of. The motor vehicles in Dubai will most certainly turn a few heads, but none will do so more often than the diamond-encrusted Mercedes.

Diamond-Encrusted Mercedes @icebox_2019 / Pinterest.com

More than three hundred thousand diamonds were used as decals on Saudi Prince, (Amir) al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul-Aziz’s Mercedes. Being one of the top ten wealthiest people in the world, the $4.8 million price tag, was more like pocket change to him.

According to some reports, just getting to touch this expensive car cost $1,000. The SL500 was designed for the fiftieth anniversary of the SL500 in 2007. The billionaire-owned car first debuted at the Dubai Auto Show, which is famous for hosting some of the most absurdly luxurious cars on the planet.

Est. Value: 56/gram of 24K gold*
Produced by: TG Gold-Super-Markt

Should the need for some extra spending money or perhaps a gold bar arise while visiting the UAE, one should not fret, as there are ATMs available for just the occasion. The Gold To Go gold bar ATM was first seen in the Emirates in 2010.

ATMs for Gold Bars @billgursky / @fairgreen / Pinterest.com

Stocked with three hundred and twenty different items made of gold, the machine sells a variety of custom coins, as well as, a variety of weighted, 24-carat gold bars (worth around $1.46 million) that are sealed in plastic upon being dispensed.

For those who are worried about up-to-date prices or someone breaking into one of the machines, these concerns are justified but rather unnecessary. The prices are updated through an encrypted internet connection every minute and in order to prevent theft, the Gold To Go has been fitted with cameras that record every transaction, is built like an armored vehicle, and was tested with explosives.